On the outside, CMC’s annual Meet-Your-Match Rideshare event might sound like a dating service: strangers meeting on Valentine’s Day over a quiet little breakfast at The California Grill at The Hub, chatting about who-lives-where and whose work schedule is what. Even the event’s success ---which boils down to compatibility---sounds like an exercise in romance. But unless one considers road noise, air pollution, and carpooling topics by which to wield Cupid’s bow, that is where comparisons end.

“The real purpose of Meet-Your-Match day is to help ‘match’ employees with other employees interested in ridesharing, and to share information with each other about other commuter options, such as bus and rail,” says human resources administrative assistant and event coordinator, Jill Nicholas.

Rideshare participants contribute to cleaner air and reduce their own expenses and stresses traveling to and from work. But the sweeter incentive to carpool or use alternate forms of transportation (walking, biking etc) is the financial reward. All Rideshare participants earn $1.50 per day, and up to $60 per month reimbursement toward the cost of public transportation, such as the bus, or the Metrolink, Nicholas says.

The Meet-Your-Match breakfast is open to all staff and faculty.

For more Rideshare information: http://www.socalcommute.org/index.asp

Rideshare participants are reimbursed up to $60 monthly toward the cost of public transportation.

WHO: All faculty and staff welcome

WHAT: Rideshare's Meet-Your-Match day

WHERE: The California Grill at The Hub

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14 from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

WHY: Meet other potential Rideshare participants

MENU: Coffee, juice, bagels and pastries, and drawings for prizes.